Applied Sustainable Finance and Investment

Applied Sustainable Finance and Investment provides a clear, structured introduction to sustainable finance, blending theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and practical applications. With modern concerns growing about climate change, the sustainability of business operations, and the transition to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this book explains how sustainable finance provides both direction and solutions for responsible investment decisions. It demonstrates how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles can be integrated into financial decision-making to contribute to the triple bottom line of people, the planet, and profit, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing global economy.Starting with the foundations and frameworks of sustainable finance, these pages link externalities, market failures, and SDGs together, explaining how ESG frameworks have evolved to define accountability within financial and corporate systems. Moving then to connect finance with climate-related financial risk and the measurement and accounting of sustainability performance, the discussion develops into practical markets and products, covering carbon markets, green and social bonds, sustainable funds, portfolio construction, and the role of banks and exchanges in enabling transition finance. Finally, this book looks ahead to emerging areas such as biodiversity finance and sustainable fintech.While designed primarily for students specializing in finance, management, business, and related disciplines, the book also serves as a valuable reference for use in a wide range of corporate and practitioner settings by investment bankers, commercial bankers, risk managers, portfolio managers, wealth managers, and others seeking to understand responsible and ethical investment in today's evolving financial landscape.